Years ago, braces were mostly for kids. But that’s not true anymore!
Adults are opting for braces more and more these days. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than one million American and Canadian adults are in orthodontic treatment currently, and that number is steadily rising every year.
It’s not just your adult friends and neighbors who are getting braces though; adult celebrities are sporting them, too. Country music star Faith Hill wore braces to the Grammy Awards when she was 45 years old. Tom Cruise wore braces to improve his smile when he was 40. And Faye Dunaway got braces when she was 61 years old.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, people are increasingly getting braces in their 60’s, 70’s, and even their 80’s!
Why the trend in adult braces? There are several reasons.
1) Beautiful Smiles are Important─Even for Adults
Your smile is one of the first things people notice. Plus, having a straight smile can increase your confidence. And if that’s not enough, a healthy, beautiful smile leads to improved social and professional success!
2) Today’s braces are better and less noticeable
Braces have greatly improved over the years. The brackets used today are smaller and bands no longer wrap around each tooth. Also, wearing today’s braces is less painful and treatment time is shorter.
Many adults decide to use Invisalign treatment. This option gives you several sets of clear, removable aligners, which you wear over your teeth. These thin plastic aligners gradually shift the placement of your teeth. You trade out aligners every two weeks until treatment is completed. With these, you can remove them during social settings or important business meetings if it makes you feel more comfortable.
3) Teeth Can Move in Adulthood
Your teeth can shift as you age. Even if you had braces or naturally straight teeth in the past, you may develop a crooked or overcrowded smile later in life.
4) Straight Teeth Help You Avoid Health Problems
As we covered in our blog post, 12 Benefits of Straight Teeth, having straight teeth gives you many health benefits. Crooked teeth contribute to tooth decay, periodontal disease, gum disease, headaches, earaches, and other health problems. Orthodontic treatment can help you avoid these issues.
5) You Can Afford Them Now
Maybe your parents couldn’t afford braces when you were a kid, but you are able to pay for them now. Orthodontic treatment has never been as affordable as it is today.
Dr. Brown offers financing options and flexible payment plans to accommodate your needs, and we’ll also review your insurance policy to help you maximize your dental benefits.
6) People’s Teeth are Lasting throughout Longer Lives
Not only are people living longer these days, but they’re also keeping their teeth for life. No longer are people planning to eventually lose their teeth and use dentures, so it makes more sense now to spend the money for straight teeth. This is one of the reasons why we’re seeing people in their 60’s through their 80’s opt for braces.
Healthy teeth can be straightened at any age, and a beautiful smile is always a worthwhile investment in yourself.
Call our office today (972-317-4030) to set up an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Brown. We can discuss the best orthodontic treatments and payment options for you. No matter how old you are, it’s never too late to improve your smile!
